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Kollam district has a number of pilgrim centres. The temples
dedicated to the Sastha at Achencoil, Aryankavu and
Kulathuppuzha are visited by a large number of pilgrims. The
festivals Therottam and Pushabhishekam of Achencoil Temple fall
during December-January and January-February respectively. The
Mandala Pooja of Aryankavu Temple, is in December and the
Vishmahotsavam of Kulathuppuzha in April. The
Oachira Temple, dedicated to Parabrahmam attract a
large number of pilgrims, particularly during the festival
called Oachirakkali in June-July. |
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The Panthranduvilakku Mahotsavam (November-December) of this
temple is also
 very
famous Vishu Mahotsavam (April) of Sreekrishna Swami Temple,
Ashramam; Navarathri Mahotsavam (October) of Mahadeva Temple,
Anandavalleswaram; Utsavam (March) of Murari Temple Mukhathala,
Utsavam of Mahadeva Temple Thrikkadavur and Bahgavathi Temple
Kottamkulangara; Sivarathri festival (March) of Siva Temple,
Chittadeeswaram, Festival (September-October) of Veera Bhadra
Nada, Ashtamudi; Kuruthi Mahotsavam (January) of Ammachiveetil
Moorthi Temple, Kacherimukku, Sivarathri Mahotsavam (March) of
Kashi Viswanathan at Cheriazeekkal (Karunagappally Taluk)
Thiruvathira Mahotsavam (April) of Shri Mahaganpati Temple,
Kottarakkara are some of the important festivals connected with
temples. The Ashtami Rohini festival at Vadayattukotta
Sreekrishna Temple also attracts huge crowds from neighbouring
places.
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In addition to these temples, there are Churches and Mosques
which have their own festival attractinghuge crowds,
irrespective of their religious affiliation. Some of the
important churches are St. Casimir's Church, Kadavur; Velankanni
Matha Shrine, Tuyyam; Infant Jesus Shrine, Vadi; St. Joseph
Shrine, Perinad; St. Francis Church, Koduvila (Kallada);
Amalotbhava Matha Church, Pullichira (Kottiyam), St. John Britto
Church, Sakthikulangara; St. Sebastians Church, Neendakara; St.
Thomas C.S.I. Church, Pattathanam and St. Thomas Orthodox
Cathedral, Sastri Junction.
Valiyapalli, Jonakappuram, Juma-Ath-Palli, Kolluvila;
Juma-Ath-Masjid, Thattamala; Muslim Juma-Ath-Palli, Karuva;
Kalamala Palli, Kalamala; Muthirapparambu Palli, Muthirapparambu
and Siyavathummodu Palli, Kililolloor are the most important
mosques.
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Holycross
Church |
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Chinnakada
Mosque |
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FESTIVALS |
In addition to the traditional past
times like Kathakali, Koothu, Ottamthullal, Pattakam, Harikatha,
Kaikottikkali, Thiruvathirakkali, Kolattam etc., there are
certain amusements and festivities which are unique to Kollam
district. They are held in connection with festivals in temples.
The mock swork-fight - Oachirakkali, is one of the most
important of such festivals. Oachira has been famous for long as
one of the sacred places of Kerala. Historically too this place
is very famous, for, it was on the plains of Oachira that the
much famed battle in the history of Travancore, the battle of
Kayamkulam, was fought between Marthandavarma, the Maharaja of
Travancore and the Raja of Kayamkulam. In commemoration of this
historic battle Ochirakkali is conducted on the first and second
of Mithunam (June-July) every year. On this occasion, the young
and the old, drawn from the two Karas lying east and west of
Oachira, from themselves into two groups, reach the Padanilam
(the place for fighting) and conduct the age-old fencing
exercise under the leadership of the elder kalari asan.
In Kottamkulangara Temple in Chavara, there is a peculiar custom
of men dressing up as women and carry lighted lamps(Thalappoli).
The Uriati is a typical festival associated with Krishna Temple.
The annual Uriati festival held at Vadayattukotta temple in
connection with Ashtami Rohini deserves mention. The
Kettukazhcha (exhibition of effigies) festival held at Mahadevar
Temple, Thrikkadavur in February-March every year is one of the
colorful festival of the district. There are similar festivals
in the temples of Sasthamcotta, Velinallur, Chathannur,
Chirakkara etc.
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